According to a tweet published by French Army on April 8, 2021, the FREMM multi-mission Auvergne conducted a joint air-sea exercise with the Lebanese armed forces. After a series of tactical evolutions at sea, two Super-Tucano conducted cannon fire on a target set up by FREMM Auvergne.
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Two A-29 Super Tucano during the exercise with French Navy (Picture source: Twitter account of French Army)
Auvergne (D654) is an Aquitaine-class frigate of the French Navy. The Aquitaine class were developed from the FREMM multipurpose frigate program.
The 142-meter long ships are equipped with the Aster and Exocet MM 40 missiles and the MU 90 torpedoes. They can reach maximum speeds of 27 knots and have a range of 6,000 miles at a speed of 15 knots. The ships can be operated by a crew of 108, with the helicopter detachment included.
FREMM frigates are extensively armed and are equipped with the most capable weapon systems and equipment, such as on the French ships the Héraclès multifunction radar, the Naval Cruise Missile, the Aster, and Exocet MM40 missiles or the MU 90 torpedoes.
The A-29 Super Tucano is a turboprop light attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency, close air support, and aerial reconnaissance missions in low-threat environments, as well as providing pilot training.
The aircraft features two .50" machine guns (200 rounds each) in the wings. Five hardpoints under the wing and fuselage allow up to 1,500 kg of weapons for most configurations. Outboard stations allow the loading and firing of short-range air-air missiles of the AIM-9 class.
All stations can be loaded with the Mk 81 or Mk 82 (conventional or equipped with guidance kits) bombs, SBAT-70/19, or LAU-68 rocket launchers.
It is powered by a sole 1,600 SHP Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68/3 turboprop engine that incorporates FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control) and EICAS (Engine Indication and Crew Alerting System) powers the aircraft.
